On Tuesday, July 3rd, the families of the political prisoners demanded their release in a press conference. They were supported by several Guatemalan social organizations.

They described the situation of their relatives and the emotional and economic consequences of their detention. They demanded their release and protection by the corresponding state institutions.
Inhabitants of Santa Cruz Barillas Diego Juan Sebastián, Andrés León Andrés Juan, Joel Gaspar Mateo, Ventura Juan, Antonio Rogelio Velásquez López, Pedro Vicente Núñez Bautista, Saul Aurelio Méndez Muñoz, Amado Pedro Miguel and Marcos Mateo Miguel were illegally detained on May 2nd by civilians in military uniforms with their faces covered, a day after the murder of community leader Andrés Francisco Miguel.

The arrests were surrounded by all kinds of irregularities and the judicial authorities and their families didn’t know where they were for several days.

As a result, the families are demanding the Guatemalan government to suspend all exploration and exploitation licenses for mining, hydroelectric dams and any other extractive company that is operating in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango department.

In addition, in a statement issued last week, the inhabitants of Santa Cruz Barillas address the "media and everyone who is listening" requesting them “not to cover the lies told by transnational corporations who say that we oppose development. We want development, but one that respects our worldview and our lands”.

Photo: http://ceibaguate.org